Chiara Bianchi
Crypto exchange Kraken has officially rolled out Kraken Prime, its new prime brokerage platform designed to give institutional investors a comprehensive and seamless entry point into digital asset markets.
With this release, Kraken aims to deliver high-performance trading, qualified custody, and tailored financing — all through a centralized, professional-grade interface. According to Kraken, the product is built to match the service standards of traditional finance, while addressing the distinct needs of hedge funds, asset managers, and corporate entities entering the crypto space.
Engineered for Institutional Grade Execution
“Kraken Prime is designed with the needs of today’s institutional clients at its core,” said David Ripley, Kraken’s co-CEO. He emphasized that the company’s infrastructure, tested through multiple crypto cycles, is now being leveraged to offer a high-touch experience focused on stability, security, and performance.
As regulatory frameworks become more defined, a growing wave of traditional financial institutions is exploring digital assets, creating demand for brokers that can offer both technical depth and regulatory compliance. Kraken Prime meets this demand with 24/7 concierge-level support, access to deep liquidity across 20+ global trading venues, and qualified custody services via Kraken Financial, a U.S.-regulated bank.
Comprehensive Services for Modern Crypto Investors
Kraken Prime clients will benefit from:
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Liquidity access covering over 90% of the digital asset market
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Direct execution from qualified custody accounts
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T+1 credit availability and asset-backed lending
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Advanced order routing to internal and external liquidity pools
Ripley added, “Our goal with Kraken Prime is not just to participate, but to set the benchmark for institutional crypto services. Even if we weren’t the first, we’re determined to be the most trusted.”
Competing in the Prime Brokerage Arena
With this move, Kraken enters the competitive field of institutional crypto brokerage, joining peers like Coinbase Prime and FalconX. However, Kraken believes its emphasis on reliability and execution quality will set it apart, especially during periods of market volatility.
Kraken’s Multi-Asset Expansion Strategy
The launch of Kraken Prime comes on the heels of a wave of new initiatives from the exchange:
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Development of Ink, Kraken’s in-house Ethereum Layer 2 network
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Expanded regulated crypto derivatives offerings in Europe
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Launch of commission-free stock trading in the U.S.
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Upcoming tokenized equity trading for global tech stocks like Apple and Nvidia
In March, Kraken agreed to acquire NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion, marking the largest merger between a crypto firm and a traditional finance platform. This acquisition supports Kraken’s broader goal to become a multi-asset exchange powerhouse.
In Q1 2025, Kraken reported $472 million in revenue, a 19% year-over-year increase, as the company positions itself for a potential IPO by early next year.
Kraken Rises in Industry Rankings
According to the latest exchange rankings from data firm Kaiko, Kraken is now rated the second-best crypto trading platform globally, ahead of Binance and just behind Coinbase. The evaluation considered liquidity, governance, security, and technical performance.
